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Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Your Qualifications?

All practitioners working in our clinic are Fully Qualified Registered Osteopaths and/or Acupuncturists. Glenn Lobo qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 1989, having completed a 4 year course. He is registered with the General Osteopathic Council, the state registered governing body for Osteopathy. He has also trained fully in Acupuncture at the British College of Acupuncture, qualifying in 1993 and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.

Having a keen interest in sport, Glenn has also done courses in Sports Therapy (1991), and has done the F.A. Treatment of Injuries Course (1995), he has been awarded diplomas for both these courses.

He has worked for Bedford Rugby Club, Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, and Thames Valley Harriers Athletics Clubs- two of the top athletics clubs in the country.

Glenn also has a special interest in alcohol and drug abuse and the treatment of addictions. He has also conducted further training in acupuncture creating a deeper understanding of acupuncture for him, and has also done a course in Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture.

Is It Safe?

Because of the fear of several diseases, people are worried about needles. For that reason we use pre-sterilised disposable needles. They are only used once and are then disposed of. There is no risk of catching AIDS or any other disease from the treatment. Acupuncture also has few, if any, side effects.

All treatment comes with some risks. We conduct a case history to ensure we can check for any obvious dangers, and treatment is performed with your agreement, and understanding of the various procedures. Osteopathic treatment involves the use of massage and manipulation. When we are changing the positioning of the body, and applying pressure, there may be some pain.

Does the Treatment Hurt?

The initial insertion of the needles can be slightly painful. Achieving the "needling sensation" (a dull ache or itch) can be painful, but it is an indication that the treatment is actually doing something. Acupuncture needles are very fine so once they are inserted you will hardly notice them unless you move. We recommend that you do not move once the needles are in.

Based on personal experiences, we have found that deeper Osteopathic treatments have a greater effect. These can be more painful at the time, and may create some reactions too. Because of this, we will ease you into it gently, only applying as much pressure as you are comfortable with. We endeavour to reduce this as much as possible, but is sometimes inevitable. If you do experience any reactions to treatment, please call up and talk to us. It is probably somethig we have encountered before, and can advise you.

What Will Happen on My First Visit?

On your first visit, I need to assess your general health in order to identify the major issues and underlying conditions in order to give you the most effective treatment. I will ask about your current problems and symptoms, which treatments you have received so far, and your medical history, sleeping patterns, and emotional state. I may also enquire about your family, diet, stress factors, and other areas that may be relevant. After I have gathered enough information about your general and specific issues, I can select the most effective points to use.

Energies are flowing in your body along meridians. I will often check your pulses on both wrists, to determine their quality, rhythm, and strength, as well as looking at your tongue to get a better idea of your general health. I do this so that, using the combination of the history, pulse, and tongue, I can get an overview and specific idea about what is happening in your body and where there are restrictions, blockages, and disruptions. I gather information to create a picture of the state of your health and which areas need correcting and adjusting to improve your health and wellbeing.

Acupuncture may affect the functioning of the organs of the body. The points used are often not close to the site of the problem, or the organ that is being treated. This is quite normal. There are around 500 such acupuncture points on the body. A properly trained and experienced acupuncturist, such as me, will use a selection of these for each treatment. Different points may be selected as your condition changes during a course of treatment. I mostly use points in the arms and legs, so loose, comfortable clothing will make the process easier for both of us. On occasion I do use other points in the body, so please be aware of this.

To get to the acupuncture points, or the relevant muscles, for osteopathic treatment, you will need to move, or remove some clothing. We will NEVER ask you to remove underwear, though sometimes that too will need to move. If you would rather not remove any clothing, that is fine, but to perform either form of treatment, we usually need access to your skin. I have had someone ask me if could put needles into her through her tights. It is not possible for me to do this.

What Does It Feel Like?

It is not that bad! Acupuncture needles are not the same as the needles used for injections - they are solid and very, very fine. You often don't feel anything as the needle goes in, but may feel a small pin-prick. Once the needle is in, some sensations may be experienced - from itching to a tingling or dull ache. A warm glow is also a common sensation. I usually leave the needles in place for 20 to 40 minutes depending on the effect required. While the needles are in you will often experience heaviness in the limbs or feel very relaxed. The benefits of acupuncture frequently include more than just relief from a particular condition. You may also find that you have increased energy levels, as well as a better appetite, improved sleep, and an enhanced sense of overall wellbeing.

Osteopathic massage can be deeper than relaxing massages. The different styles of massage perform different functions so different depths and pressure are used. My training didnt involve the use of oils, but they are sometimes used for pain relief or to reduce the pressure and keep the movements smooth.

How Soon Does it Work?

My belief is that many or most musculo-skeletal problems are resolvable, or at least can be helped, by acupuncture, although there are obvious exceptions, such as MS, broken bones, and arthritis. If you have neglected your body for years, and wake up one day and think, "today I'm going to fix all my ailments", it isn't going to happen in one session. Car accidents are another situation where it might not happen quickly, but they aren't the norm. Most of the time I hear a story like, "I was just reaching out" or "I was just walking my dog and I got this intense pain". I can't cure everything, but most of these issues should be bread and butter to an osteopath, and they are to me.

Treatments can be effective quickly or may take several sessions depending on both the individual and the imbalance. If you are giving up smoking, for example, you may find it helpful to have two to three treatments in the first week to give you more support in the initial stages, then once a week or once a month thereafter may be enough to maintain the effects.